Pump



March 10, 1942. v. G. KLEIN PUMP Filed Sept. 30, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l March 10, 1942. I v. G. KLEIN- 2,276,207 I PUMP Filed Sept. so, 1959 3 Sheets-She et 2 V. G. KLEIN March 10, 1942.

PUMP

Filed Sept. 30, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGS.

0 a $\M & w WW \x I?! V .l 5 6 M $1 w w w Patented Mar. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMP Victor G. Klein, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Lincoln Engineering Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 30, 1939, Serial No. 297,226

3 Claims.

This inventionrelates to pumps, and with regard to certain more specific features, to lubricant dispensing pumps.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a lubricant pump which is'driven by means of a continuously operating internal-combustion engine; the provision of apparatus of the class described in which efiective provision is made for permitting the engine to Operate continuously although only intermittent lubricant flow is required; the provision of apparatus is the class described in which clutching and de-clutching of the continuously-operating engine is avoided; and the provision in apparatus of this class of a pump valve which will be efiective under the conditions imposed upon it by the continuous operation of said engine. Other ob- .jects will be in part obvious and in part pointed Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and' being partially in section; I

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In many cases it is desirable to operate a lubricant pump in locations where no electricity is available, and for this purpose a small internalcombustion engine, such as a gasoline engine or the like, isdesirable. As usual, the desired lubricant flow, under pressure, is intermittent, but it is not feasible to start and stop an internal-combustion engine accordingly. Furthermore, lubricant pressure should be instantly available at all times in the conduit which leads to the lubricant control valve.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a portable chassis I on suitable wheels 3, adapted to be drawn about by means of a handle 5. Upon the chassis I is mounted a suitable internal-combustion engine I. In a bearing 9 on the chassis is carried a counter-shaft ll .(Fig. 2) upon which is mounted a pulley l3. The pulley I3 is connected by means of a belt I! to a driving pulley l5 on the engine 1. Thus pulleys l3, l5 and belt I! constitute a continuously operative drive between the continuously operative engine 1 and the counter-shaft I On the end opposite to the pulley l3, the

counter-shaft carries a crank |9 which is articulated to a connecting rod 2|. The connecting rod carries a socket 23 surrounding a ball-andsocket joint 25, 29, the ball portion 25 of which is attached to the rear end of a pump plunger 21,

and the cooperating socket portion of which is.

shown at 29 in the connecting rod 2|. 3|

nection between the ball element 25 and socket element 29. By means of this connection angular A spring movement is permitted between the plunger 27 and the connecting rod 2|.

The remainder of the pump (of which 21 constitutes the plunger) is supported in a manifold casting 33, which in turn is supported upon chassis I. This manifold 33, which is hollow,

supports a supply tank 35, which is in communi- F cation therewith and which contains lubricant, such as grease.

A follower piston'31 which slidably engages the inner walls-of the tank 35 is centrally slidably arranged upon a sleeve 39, the latter havingthreaded in its lower end a fixed nut which forms acollar 4| limiting the downward sliding movement of the piston with respect to the sleeve 39. At its upper end the sleeve 39 carries a second collar 43, forming a reaction point for a spring 45. The spring 45 at its other end presses against the piston 31 and forces it toward the movementlimiting shoulder 4|. In order to prevent rotary motion between the piston 31 and the collar 43 (and thus to prevent twisting in the spring 45),

there is threaded into the piston 31 a pin fork 49 attached to piston 31 engages the top of the grease. It is reacting within the socket 23 maintains a. conlower end of the screw 2 therefore possible by several revolutions of the crank 51 to compress the spring and so to store energy in it, so that as lubricant is usedup from beneath the piston 31 the spring forces the piston 31 to follow the lubricant as it is exhausted to maintain a'substantial pressure there- The plunger 21 reciprocates in the cylinder 65 of a sleeve 6| which passes through a sump 63 formed at the bottom of the manifold 33. The cylinder 65 in the sleeve 6I is in communication with said sump 63 through an inlet port 66. The end of the plunger 21 in reciprocating within the cylinder 65 crosses and re-crosses the inlet 66.

' The outlet end (left end; Figs. 1 and of the cylinder 65 is covered by check valve 61 normally biased to close by means of a spring 69 which surrounds the valve stem H. The valve stem 1I slides in a guide 13. Lubricant may flow from the bore 65, around the valve 61 and to the outlet by means of lateral passages 11. The guide passage" and fluid passages" are in communication at 4.

From'the outlet '15 the lubricant is intended to flow through a flexible pressure hose 19 and through a control valve on the end of it (not shown). Any of various control valves may be used, such as shown for, example in Linders Patent 1,959,724, dated May ,22, 1934. Such valves have controls on them so that when manually pressed the valves open, and it is intended that lubricant under pressure shall then instantly be available in the flexible hose 19. When the valve is released it closes and shuts off the flow.

In the outlet 15 at 8| is shown a pipe passage leading to a manually controllable shut-off valve 83, the outlet of which (with respect to pipe 8|) is shown at 85 as being connected with the interior of the manifold 33. The circuit 8I, 83, 85, is normally closed. It is referred to hereinafter as a manually controllable by-pass and opening and closing are accomplished at handle 81. Inasmuch as the valve 83 is of the plain cut-off variety, the inside details are not shown..

At numeral 88 is shown a manually controllable valve to permit at any time relief of pressure to the atmosphere.

At numeral 89 is shown a line leading from the outlet 15 to a special pressure relay 9| which (Fig. 4) contains a passage 93 in which is a sliding piston 95 packed at 91 and adapted to receive pressure from the line 69 and thereby be moved. I

The piston 95 presses against the head 99 of a sliding stem IN. The stem IOI slidably passes through an adjusting cap I03 and the assembly of parts 99 and IOI are normally pressed to the right by means of a spring I05. The spring I05 may be adjusted'in tension by adjusting the cap I83. A look nut I01 maintains a given adjustment. It is clear that pressure in the line 89 will force the packing. 91 and piston 95 to press the assembly 99, IM against the reaction of spring I85. Shoulder 2 limits'movement of head 99.

. Exteriorly, therod IOI is provided with a reduced extension I09 which is' surrounded by a fork II3. Beyond the fork is a head II I. To the right of the fork (Fig. 4) is a loose washer II5 which is normally pressed against the-fork II3 by meansof a spring II1, the latter reacting against a shoulder II9.

The fork I I3 is attached to a rod I2I which has a rotary support in the chassis I (Fig. 3).

Within the side rails of the cha'ssis'l the rod until it is shut off in the usual manner.

is down, the inlet 66 is open. When the port 66 is closed (stem I29 up) the plunger 21 will reciprocate without drawing fluid in from the sump and will therefore deliver nothing through the outlet 15. When the-port 61 is open (stem I29 down) fluid is drawn in during reciprocation of the plunger 21 and forced under pressure through said outlet 15.

Operation of the device, generally considered, is as follows:

The tank 35 is fllled with lubricant and the cover 55 applied. The crank 61 is revolved several times to force the piston 31 against the lubricant and at the same time to compress the spring 45 so as to store up energy thereby to effect continuous pressing of the piston on the lubricant for a substantial period of action of the pump. This places the lubricant under priming pressure to be forced into the port 66 whenever the valve I33 is open (stem I29 down).

Next, the manually operated by-pass valve 83 is opened by rotating the handle 81. This places the outlet 15 of the pump in by-passed communication with the manifold 63 and consequently unloads the pump.

Next, the gasoline engine is started by a rope at the starting pulley I35. It is to be understood that other starting means may be used where desirable, such as a crank, starter, or the like. Thereafter the engine 1 operates continuously Thus, continuous operation is reflected in the operation of the belt drive I5, I1, I3, counter-shaft I I, and reciprocation of the" plunger 21 through action of the crank I9 and connecting rod 2|.

Since it may be assumed that there is no pressure in the outlet 15 at the start, even though the valve at the end of line 19 is closed, the spring I05 (Fig. 4) will have pressed back the stem IOI as shown, so that the fork H3 is drawn clockwise (Fig. 4), and the fork I23 is rotated downwardly (Fig. 1). This draws down the stem I29 and opens the valve I33 so that lubricant may be drawn into the opening inlet 66 and forced out through the valve 61 to the outlet 15. From here it returns to the manifold 33 through passages BI, 83, 85. The purpose of opening the by-pass is to permit of cranking of the engine 1 by taking the load off of the pump parts which it drives.

'As soon as the engine has started and is in satisfactory operating condition for continuous action under load, the valve 83 is closed. This causes pressure to build up in the outlet 15 of the pump, the valve at the end of the line 19 being assumed still to be closed. This pressure is also transmitted to the pipe 89 and applied against the packing 91 of the plunger 95. Thus, the shaft IOI (Fig. 4) is forced against the reaction of the spring I05 to move the fork I I3 counterclockwise. and to move the fork I23 (Fig. 1) up, thereby ultimately closing the port 66 by means of the valve I33. The particular pressure at which the port 66 will ultimately be closed depends upon the adjustment in spring I05 which is tensioned by adjustment of the cap I03. This occurs before head 99 reaches shoulder 2 and opened, the pressure in the outlet I of the pumpis incipiently reduced and likewise the pressure in the line 89. This unbalances the spring I05 so that it becomes effective to move the stem IM to the right (Fig. 4) and thus through the linkage Il3, I2I, I23, I29 to open the port 66 by withdrawing therefrom the valve I33. Thus lubricant is drawn into the port 66 and forced into the collar and the sleeve BI is not such as necessarily to seal. The reason for this will appear.

Sealing is effected peripherally of the pistonlike portion MI of the valve which has a close sliding fit in the cylinder 65 and which is slightly chamfered at I43 to provide proper entry under action of the spring 69.'- For example, the fit between the piston portion MI and the bore 65 may be a lap fit.

the line substantially to maintain the pressure which has incipiently been reduced.

Thus the valve I33 is pressed shut by means of the linkage connected therewith. Since this linkage has in it the spring I" (located between the applied force on plunger 95 and the valve I33) valve closure is assured under various conditions of operation. Furthermore, there is a possibility that valve I33 may foul (not close), as, for example, when foreign material clogs its seat. It is then important that the linkage connected with it have some resilient play under the concurrent rising pressure. Thus should the line pressure go beyond the amount predetermined by the adjustment of the cap I03, this spring I I1 is simply compressed. This has the efiect of permitting the pressure to rise above that desired. In order that the spring III may not be over-compressed the motion of the stem IUI is limited by contact of the head 99 with shoulder 2. In order that pressure rise beyond that desired may not exceed a safe amount for the lines (after head 99 contacts shoulder 2), there is provided as shown at numeral I31 the safety valve. This valve is of the usual spring-loaded type which opens at a safe pressure. This pressure however is higher than the operating pressure. When this-valve opens, pumping simply goes on with exudation of lubricant from the safety valve until the engine is stopped and repairs. are made.

The contact between 99 and 2 is made before the relief pressure is reached, and before the spring III is compressed to itslimiting value. Thus the spring III serves as a resilient member in the linkage between the'rod IOI, the valve I33 of spring I05 acts as a balancing pressure spring for the pressure in the line, and the shoulder 2 acts to protect both springs I05 and III and the linkage against excessive pressure which requires a complete relief for'safety.

Reference to Fig. 5 will indicate special features of the outlet valve 61 which are described as follows: v

This valve hasits stem II sliding in the guide bearing I3, the bearing I3 and stem II being long enough for accurate guiding. The bearing I3 does not function as an outlet port, except to the relief valve 88, via 4. The outlet is effected through the lateral ports 11, which however are in communication through the outlet I5 with said hollow bearing I3. The head of the valve comprises a collar I39 which serves as a stop to limit the movement of the valve in the direction of closing. It is not the intention that this collar shall form the effective closing seat of the valve. That is to say, the bearing between The above-described valve construction is particularly' suited to the hard service to which a valve in this location is subjected. It will be seen that the operation of the relatively high-speed engine I and pump subjects a valve at this location to hard use, as compared to the action of electric motors. The result is that the pounding on the ordinary seat below a shoulder such as I39 (Fig. 5) pounds the valve seat until it leaks,

particularly where there is some foreign material in the lubricant. With the described valve, wear and deformation beneath the shoulder I39 make no difference, because the valve is not depended upon at this point to maintain a seal. The seal is -maintained between the cylindric outer base of the-projection I 4|. Any foreign material that goes through the valve cannot be lodged between the cylinder HI and the bore t 65, because it is wiped off in the process of valve closure. If it lodges upon the open edge of cylinder I it is sheared off in view of the fact that I43 is not made of soft packing material. It is to be understood that at the time the plunger 21 comes forward the cylinder MI is forced completely from the bore 65 to permit outward passage of lubricant .The lubricant then passes .through the passages 11 and to the outlet I5.

A feature of some importance is that the valve I33 is closed during periods when lubricant is not called for over the line I9. Under these conditions, the plunger 21 simply draws a vacuum in the regions 65, 61 without substantial recompression being necessary. Thus, the outlet valve 31 tends to remain seated and becomes operative only during flow conditions in the outlet I9. This distinguishes from those constructions heretofore suggested in which during periods when'lubricant was not called for there was a continuous flow from the outlet, through-a bypass and back to the inlet. The absence of such a flow herein not only saves the valve 61 from undue activity, but also prevents churning of lubricant which occurred heretofore in a by-pass Y circulation.

saidpump, said pump having an inlet and an outlet, a normally open valve at the inlet, stop means for definitely determining the closed posi; tion of the valve, a linkage responsive to pressure in the outlet to close said valve, spring means normally biasing the linkage to open position of said valve against said pressure, and substantially resilient means in said linkage forming a force-transmitting member therein and opera tive after said valve has substantially closed to be compressed to permit some linkage operation after movement of the valve against said stop means.

normally biasing the linkage to open position of said valve against said pressure, substantially resilient means in said linkage forming a tonetransmitting member therein and operative after said valve has substantially closed to be compressed to permit some linkage operation after movement of the valve against said stop means,

and means for limiting the deflection of the firstnamed spring to a degreethat will prevent the.

second-named spring from exhausting its maximum deflection.

3. Lubricating apparatus comprising a reciproeating pump, continuous driving means for said pump, said pump having an inlet and an outlet, a normally open p ppet. valve at the inlet,-

the seat of the valve determining substantially the closed position of the valve, a linkage responsive to pressure in the outlet to close said valve, spring means normally biasing the linkage to open position of said valve against said pressure, substantially resilient means in said linkage forming a force-transmitting member. therein and operative after said valve has substantially closed to becompressed to permit some linkage operation, means for limiting the deflection of the first-named spring to a degree that will prevent the second-named spring from exhausting its maximum deflection, and a relief valve associated with the outlet which is operative-after said limiting means becomes effective.

VIC'IOR G. KLEIN, 

